Guess everything has to end for good, like it has a start. I was home alone and thought of doing something, then thought why not try and stop somethings as well. So I guess blogging is a good thing to stop. So this will be my last post on this blog. I am happy I inspired one or two to blog, so this was not totally a waste. Anyway bye bye world.
-end-
Sunday, January 21, 2007
an old song
Sleeping Satellite
by Tasmin Archer
album: Great Expectations (1992)
I blame you for the moonlit sky
and the dream that died
with the eagles' flight
I blame you for the moonlit nights
when I wonder why
are the seas still dry?
don't blame this sleeping satellite
Did we fly to the moon too soon
did we squander the chance
in the rush of the race
the reason we chase is lost in romance
and still we try
to justify the waste
for a taste of man's greatest adventure
I blame you for the moonlit sky
and the dream that died
with the eagles' flight
blame you for the moonlit nights
when I wonder why
are the seas still dry?
don't blame this sleeping satellite
have we lost what it takes to advance?
have we peaked too soon?
if the world is so green
then why does it scream under a blue moon
we wonder why
If the earth's sacrificed
for the price of it's greatest treasure
I blame you for the moonlit sky
and the dream that died
with the eagles' flight
blame you for the moonlit nights
when I wonder why
are the seas still dry?
don't blame this sleeping satellite
and when we shoot for the stars
what a giant step
have we got what it takes
to carry the weight of this concept
or pass it by like a shot in the dark
miss the mark with a sense of adventure
I blame you for the moonlit sky
and the dream that died
with the eagles' flight
blame you for the moonlit nights
when I wonder why
are the seas still dry?
don't blame this sleeping satellite
by Tasmin Archer
album: Great Expectations (1992)
I blame you for the moonlit sky
and the dream that died
with the eagles' flight
I blame you for the moonlit nights
when I wonder why
are the seas still dry?
don't blame this sleeping satellite
Did we fly to the moon too soon
did we squander the chance
in the rush of the race
the reason we chase is lost in romance
and still we try
to justify the waste
for a taste of man's greatest adventure
I blame you for the moonlit sky
and the dream that died
with the eagles' flight
blame you for the moonlit nights
when I wonder why
are the seas still dry?
don't blame this sleeping satellite
have we lost what it takes to advance?
have we peaked too soon?
if the world is so green
then why does it scream under a blue moon
we wonder why
If the earth's sacrificed
for the price of it's greatest treasure
I blame you for the moonlit sky
and the dream that died
with the eagles' flight
blame you for the moonlit nights
when I wonder why
are the seas still dry?
don't blame this sleeping satellite
and when we shoot for the stars
what a giant step
have we got what it takes
to carry the weight of this concept
or pass it by like a shot in the dark
miss the mark with a sense of adventure
I blame you for the moonlit sky
and the dream that died
with the eagles' flight
blame you for the moonlit nights
when I wonder why
are the seas still dry?
don't blame this sleeping satellite
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
F.U.D concerning FOSS
We all have Fear Uncertainty and Doubt (F.U.D) over things. I've heard and read so much about F.U.D when it comes to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Recently I personally witness it happen.
A company needed an application to handle some aspect of File Management and Storage, So there was two major proposals. One was an open source solution based on Java and web. The other was a typical M$ client server based solution. The M$ solution was not at all appropriate. It lacked a lot of functions and feachers. The solution was needed for a network which was M$ based, and both solutions lacked the Active Directory (LDAP) integrations. The open source solution lacked the "drag and drop" stuff, but besides that it was perfect. It was true value for money. But the M$ thingy was a big blow. Mainly because it was not designed to be a solutions for this specific problem. But of course we had loads of other good solutions which were proposed. These solutions had really good integration with the Windows clients as well. Which was a good plus point. The only problem I saw was it was not compatible for Linux and Mac's. But that was not a big problem, since it was me and maybe one more guy who would use anything besides Windows. I knew I'd find a way even if it was implemented. If it was ever implemented. But when it came down to the price factor. Wooo, it was so damn expensive (both M$ solution and the new one).
You had to pay a few thousand USD annually. So I was wondering WHY would anyone want to pay so much just for simple drag and drop and LDAP or Active Directory Integration. They can pay me half the price for the license and I'd have it implemented on the Open Source solution. If they paid me, that is. :)
So at the end, it was decided to look into the price and make a good choice. Well, to choose which do you have to pay the least. So it really does not matter if a solution provided you the right solution. Its about UI and ease of use. Thats what I figured out today. A lot of people are scared when it comes to FOSS stuff. They are not so conferable with it, its understandable. I guess the FOSS community is slowly improving on this, and I hope I'd experience a different day other then this. Where people will be more confident with FOSS solutions. Here we are talking about technical guys, network guys and IT managers.
Then I wonder, if UI and ease of use is what these guys look for; what about the Mac's ?. Its much user friendly then Windows and performance is good too. But still F.U.D comes into play. So This not only applies with FOSS. Its mostly true for anything besides Windows (for most people). I don't know how Microsoft has achieved this world domination. But it sure works. Windows is not close to being good compared to most other alternatives. But yet they get the market. This applies in terms of looks , ease of use, functionality, security and cost too. How do they do it? Amazing...
Anyway I did not felt like commenting; it was more a learning experience for me. I still do remember the day when people joked about things like Linux. But today those same people use it to host their company web sites. Those same peoples networks are protect and connectivity is given using it. Recently like almost 2 years back, I was asked to remove a Linux box as a firewall (because he felt Linux was not secure). Only to replace it with a set top box which ran Linux too as an OS and same tools. Only difference is the looks. The new one had a GUI. The person who instructed me to remove it and got the new one does not know its the same damn thing. But well; who are we to comment. The people who make the decisions should always be respected, regardless of what they know and don't.
Coming back to the FOSS applications, I feel that too will slowly catch up. Apache and few others have. Others might soon follow, so I won't be surprised. I hear there is gonna be a trade fair soon. Best part is I also hear that Microsoft will be one of the participants. I guess the objective is to promote Windows Vista in Maldives. Anyone in for FREE distribution of Linux distro's like new Ubuntu at the fair ? Why ? Just to make aware to people that there is alternatives, just the same. Or even better and they are for FREE.
A company needed an application to handle some aspect of File Management and Storage, So there was two major proposals. One was an open source solution based on Java and web. The other was a typical M$ client server based solution. The M$ solution was not at all appropriate. It lacked a lot of functions and feachers. The solution was needed for a network which was M$ based, and both solutions lacked the Active Directory (LDAP) integrations. The open source solution lacked the "drag and drop" stuff, but besides that it was perfect. It was true value for money. But the M$ thingy was a big blow. Mainly because it was not designed to be a solutions for this specific problem. But of course we had loads of other good solutions which were proposed. These solutions had really good integration with the Windows clients as well. Which was a good plus point. The only problem I saw was it was not compatible for Linux and Mac's. But that was not a big problem, since it was me and maybe one more guy who would use anything besides Windows. I knew I'd find a way even if it was implemented. If it was ever implemented. But when it came down to the price factor. Wooo, it was so damn expensive (both M$ solution and the new one).
You had to pay a few thousand USD annually. So I was wondering WHY would anyone want to pay so much just for simple drag and drop and LDAP or Active Directory Integration. They can pay me half the price for the license and I'd have it implemented on the Open Source solution. If they paid me, that is. :)
So at the end, it was decided to look into the price and make a good choice. Well, to choose which do you have to pay the least. So it really does not matter if a solution provided you the right solution. Its about UI and ease of use. Thats what I figured out today. A lot of people are scared when it comes to FOSS stuff. They are not so conferable with it, its understandable. I guess the FOSS community is slowly improving on this, and I hope I'd experience a different day other then this. Where people will be more confident with FOSS solutions. Here we are talking about technical guys, network guys and IT managers.
Then I wonder, if UI and ease of use is what these guys look for; what about the Mac's ?. Its much user friendly then Windows and performance is good too. But still F.U.D comes into play. So This not only applies with FOSS. Its mostly true for anything besides Windows (for most people). I don't know how Microsoft has achieved this world domination. But it sure works. Windows is not close to being good compared to most other alternatives. But yet they get the market. This applies in terms of looks , ease of use, functionality, security and cost too. How do they do it? Amazing...
Anyway I did not felt like commenting; it was more a learning experience for me. I still do remember the day when people joked about things like Linux. But today those same people use it to host their company web sites. Those same peoples networks are protect and connectivity is given using it. Recently like almost 2 years back, I was asked to remove a Linux box as a firewall (because he felt Linux was not secure). Only to replace it with a set top box which ran Linux too as an OS and same tools. Only difference is the looks. The new one had a GUI. The person who instructed me to remove it and got the new one does not know its the same damn thing. But well; who are we to comment. The people who make the decisions should always be respected, regardless of what they know and don't.
Coming back to the FOSS applications, I feel that too will slowly catch up. Apache and few others have. Others might soon follow, so I won't be surprised. I hear there is gonna be a trade fair soon. Best part is I also hear that Microsoft will be one of the participants. I guess the objective is to promote Windows Vista in Maldives. Anyone in for FREE distribution of Linux distro's like new Ubuntu at the fair ? Why ? Just to make aware to people that there is alternatives, just the same. Or even better and they are for FREE.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Hulhumale' Services SUCKS
I've been living in Hulhumale' for almost a year or more. The good side of this place is its much quite than male'. Few people compared to male' and not much vehicles. Yeap! thats about it. And yeah hardly the police stops you and bothers you.
Rest of the things about this place SUCKS. YES! SUCKS. MTCC ferry service SUCKS. There is a ferry every 30 minutes, getting on one is like fighting a war. Its overcrowded and at times you'd be left behind. The bus service of cartunes SUCKS BIG TIME. They are still using a mini bus,probably donated by Maldivian Air Taxi.BY the way you need to race to get on the bus too. It hardly runs and can only accommodate less then 40 or so people. Each ferry carries about close to 80 people. To get to Hulhumale' it takes about 25 minutes. Thats another major problem. Unless you have a DRP meeting, then you get FREE ferry service and some speed boats. I hope they keep a meeting every day. I like DRP for these kinda reasons. :)
Please note that the people who live in Hulhumale' PAY for the LAND. Unlike most people in Male' and Vilingili (land owners). For the flats too, people PAY. Its not FREE. They recently gave out new flats and raw houses. It was some thing anyone should go and check out. Its made to Tokyo standards(only size wise). Now figure it out on your own. Best is to come and have a look (from the inside). But yeah its good, for people who don't have anything better. Not much choice, we all need shelter. Its a good business too. You go into a LOTTERY. Yes a LOTTERY, if you win you get a flat or a land. Once you get it, pay a minimum rent of about 2000 or 4000. Then rent it out to some unfortunate people for double or more the price. Good Business too. I call it a Lucky LOTTERY. HIT the JACKPOT and you can't be more lucky.
Food! yamee! the food here SUCKS. No good restaurants or cafe's. Thats ok, but not even good FOOD to buy. Only vegetable we would get is half rotten carrots and some beans (maybe a little better then that).There is STO, the place SUCKS big time too. They have one full block of shop taken for them, its worse than a small local shop (most local shops are much better). I don't know why they have taken the whole block. Lets see, the BANK (BML) is good. So far, the service is good too. Thats a plus point.
Another big problem is if you have to go to the airport early morning with luggage, forget it. You would not get a cab. The bus won't let you in with the luggage. On top of that, while Hulhumale' is connected via land to the airport you have to go to Male' then take another ferry to airport. Convenient ey?. If you come on a late night flight and miss the 0130 ferry then you can sleep at the ferry terminal, cause no ferry service is there after that.Come on you people who impose these rules, you try this one day and tell me how it feels before you try to defend your asses. And how frustrating it gets.
Oh yeah, the Health service. I don't think I even want to talk about it. Last I went there, even the ECG machine was broken. If you want to die here, get admitted. Good point is its FREE.
For those who want to move here, my advice stay out of it. You'd get depressed and frustrated. The place has a good potential but very badly managed. Maybe when the election is near there might be improvements. Anyway lets see, meanwhile I am hunting for an apartment in Male' (One room place) If anyone can help, will be great.
Rest of the things about this place SUCKS. YES! SUCKS. MTCC ferry service SUCKS. There is a ferry every 30 minutes, getting on one is like fighting a war. Its overcrowded and at times you'd be left behind. The bus service of cartunes SUCKS BIG TIME. They are still using a mini bus,probably donated by Maldivian Air Taxi.BY the way you need to race to get on the bus too. It hardly runs and can only accommodate less then 40 or so people. Each ferry carries about close to 80 people. To get to Hulhumale' it takes about 25 minutes. Thats another major problem. Unless you have a DRP meeting, then you get FREE ferry service and some speed boats. I hope they keep a meeting every day. I like DRP for these kinda reasons. :)
Please note that the people who live in Hulhumale' PAY for the LAND. Unlike most people in Male' and Vilingili (land owners). For the flats too, people PAY. Its not FREE. They recently gave out new flats and raw houses. It was some thing anyone should go and check out. Its made to Tokyo standards(only size wise). Now figure it out on your own. Best is to come and have a look (from the inside). But yeah its good, for people who don't have anything better. Not much choice, we all need shelter. Its a good business too. You go into a LOTTERY. Yes a LOTTERY, if you win you get a flat or a land. Once you get it, pay a minimum rent of about 2000 or 4000. Then rent it out to some unfortunate people for double or more the price. Good Business too. I call it a Lucky LOTTERY. HIT the JACKPOT and you can't be more lucky.
Food! yamee! the food here SUCKS. No good restaurants or cafe's. Thats ok, but not even good FOOD to buy. Only vegetable we would get is half rotten carrots and some beans (maybe a little better then that).There is STO, the place SUCKS big time too. They have one full block of shop taken for them, its worse than a small local shop (most local shops are much better). I don't know why they have taken the whole block. Lets see, the BANK (BML) is good. So far, the service is good too. Thats a plus point.
Another big problem is if you have to go to the airport early morning with luggage, forget it. You would not get a cab. The bus won't let you in with the luggage. On top of that, while Hulhumale' is connected via land to the airport you have to go to Male' then take another ferry to airport. Convenient ey?. If you come on a late night flight and miss the 0130 ferry then you can sleep at the ferry terminal, cause no ferry service is there after that.Come on you people who impose these rules, you try this one day and tell me how it feels before you try to defend your asses. And how frustrating it gets.
Oh yeah, the Health service. I don't think I even want to talk about it. Last I went there, even the ECG machine was broken. If you want to die here, get admitted. Good point is its FREE.
For those who want to move here, my advice stay out of it. You'd get depressed and frustrated. The place has a good potential but very badly managed. Maybe when the election is near there might be improvements. Anyway lets see, meanwhile I am hunting for an apartment in Male' (One room place) If anyone can help, will be great.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
iPhone or not to iPhone
nop, its not an apple iPhone. While there is so much vibe going on about it, I feel it might not be the right choice for me. For sure apple iPhone will looked cool and will be cool to have, but feature wise the first generation of the iPhones might not be as good as we would expect them to be. As I have read from another fellow bloggers blog, it can do MP3. WOW! so can my old Nokia 6600. But yeah I agree Apple does things in style and the fact that it comes with Mac OS X (maybe a chunked down version) will make it really a cool device to own. I totally agree.
As for me, I am looking forward to the new OpenMoko. Why OpenMoko? Well, its a Linux based mobile and suppose to be fully open.
While we have seen some Linux phones earlier too, the new OpenMoko from FIC claims to be a truly Open Linux phone that runs on the latest Linux 2.6.18 kernel. The thing where it stands different from earlier so-called Linux phones is that unlike them, the new OpenMoko features a Linux kernel that is open from top to bottom. The OpenMoko comes with fully exposed radio and a GPS unit. It even offers you the functionality to make your own kernel using the tools. Being open comes into notice as you can get the software you need from any repository if you want to do something on the phone that your phone doesn’t do.
source : http://www.cellphonebeat.com/
Well, I would strongly suggest people who wanna go for the iPhone to get one. It will be one cool toy to have. As for me I think I would enjoy a phone like OpenMoko as toy more. Simply thats the reason plus it does look cool too.
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